Josh Kelaher ('11)
Dingledine Scholar

Josh has set his sights on being the change, in fact, that's one of the reasons he came to JMU. "I did a project on the international politics behind alternative energy at the end of my junior year in high school that helped me figure out what I was interested in. The integrated science and technology program here is a great fit for my interests," he says. The ISAT program offers Josh a chance to have a voice in environmental policy. "I want to do it on a global scale, to bring people together to work cooperatively." Josh, a Dingledine Scholar, exemplifies the three traits that are looked for in the scholarship's winners — leadership, scholarship and citizenship. He graduated with an International Baccalaureate Diploma in high school, an intense academic endeavor. Josh also tutored students during his participation in the Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society, and he worked on Habitat for Humanity projects. At Madison, he's well on his way to fulfilling his dreams. Recently, he completed a study abroad program in Costa Rica getting a firsthand look at renewable energy projects and installations and learning more about the technical, social and economic dimensions of the alternative energy issue.

"To be the change, you have to understand that in some way or another, your actions do influence those around you."